User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 36 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 36
  2. Negative: 5 out of 36
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  1. jwh
    Jun 12, 2009
    9
    I don't know what crack pipe the Gamespot reviewer and the other low-rating reviewers were smoking, but this game is wonderful. I have played just about every RPG and turn-based tactical game out there for not only the PSP but also the DS and this one is fun and excellent. There is a TON of whimsical detail in the game world and the graphics are excellent. They are cartoony - but not I don't know what crack pipe the Gamespot reviewer and the other low-rating reviewers were smoking, but this game is wonderful. I have played just about every RPG and turn-based tactical game out there for not only the PSP but also the DS and this one is fun and excellent. There is a TON of whimsical detail in the game world and the graphics are excellent. They are cartoony - but not in an off putting way and they rival easily any other RPG out there for either handheld platform. The game is challenging at some points but focuses on staying FUN (and I have played Dark Spire, Etrian Odyssey etc. and have beaten them....) and not level-grinding to an extreme degree - which I find nice (variation is always good game to game). I HIGHLY recommend this game to anyone looking for a fun, satisfying RPG experience that has a wide open world to explore (NOT LINEAR - Hooray!!!) and decent voice acting, fun character development (including being able to modify weapons) and a decent enough story. Some of the reviewers are either 1) not RPG people or 2) people who consider only one "type" of RPG to be true RPGs..... Trust me - get this game if you enjoy RPGs/Turn based fighting - you will not be disappointed. Expand
  2. ConstantineZ
    May 28, 2009
    10
    Excellent, light RPG. Charming story and visuals. Truly enjoyable, if somewhat easy, experience.
  3. Aug 13, 2014
    8
    I avoided Crimson Gem Saga like the plague as I was picking up
    Growlanser, Yggdra Union, Gungnir, Knights in the Nightmare, and Riviera
    for 5 dollars each like an addiction during the constant ATLUS sales. But I finally picked up this and Hexyz Force and it's really good. The story seems decent so far, the combat was good, the characters are great, I was pleasantly surprised, it's
    I avoided Crimson Gem Saga like the plague as I was picking up
    Growlanser, Yggdra Union, Gungnir, Knights in the Nightmare, and Riviera
    for 5 dollars each like an addiction during the constant ATLUS sales.
    But I finally picked up this and Hexyz Force and it's really good.
    The story seems decent so far, the combat was good, the characters
    are great, I was pleasantly surprised, it's really cool.
    It's a game where the main character is Kanji and his
    sidekick is Rise Chan. That alone is awesome on levels
    I didn't even know existed.... Ech sure it's kind of mediocre,
    but it's still a solid game with a great voice cast. The battle
    system is fine, I was terrified by VVV This, guy down here
    who was complaining about the music, but honestly the
    game has so much going for it that I don't really give a
    damn about the music. It's certainly not a good high
    quality epic experience like a Persona or something,
    I don't think it's even trying to be, it's just a fun little
    game, with a good cast of characters, and some non-boring
    story elements. For 5 dollars it's crazy good value.
    What do you expect for 5 dollars? Not much, in which
    case it's pretty good. Although I've only played it for
    a few hours so I can't really give an educated opinion
    yet. But I liked it..... Picking up these 7 games for
    35 dollars is not a bad idea at all, my Vita rules now.
    Any one on it's own might be a bit lacking, but the
    sheer volume of content make each of them like
    delving into a chapter of one great book. My favorite
    was Growlanser, but this one is still good, it surprised me.
    Expand

Awards & Rankings

24
26
#26 Most Discussed PSP Game of 2009
9
#9 Most Shared PSP Game of 2009
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 20
  2. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. Crimson Gem Saga probably won’t win any awards for innovation, but it’s an enjoyable game from start to finish, and one I had trouble putting down.
  2. While the characters are not always that sympathetic, it is the gameplay that truly shines here. This is an entertaining and challenging portable RPG.
  3. The classic feel of the game does make grinding a little boring, and the story feels contrived at times, but this is a great title for those who crave a more classic approach to their RPG gaming.